Category Archives: HTR Feature Article

Ever since Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke sent a note to the National Hockey League’s 29 other teams explaining how Tomas Kaberle’s no-trade clause works, interest has reportedly grown for the puck-moving defenceman.

The words “offer sheet” combine for a horribly dirty phrase for some in the hockey world. It’s considered dirty pool by many fans and major media personalities, while general managers like Darcy Regier and Brian Burke take it as a personal affront. Though it’s not such a terrible sleight that it prevents them from later making moves that they deem right for the team, such as unloading Ales Kotalik on the evil guys that send out offer sheets.

While there remains some debate about just how the first two picks in June’s NHL draft will work out, the Edmonton Oilers, who own the first overall pick, and Boston Bruins, who acquired the second overall pick in a deal with Toronto, have discussed a possible deal to ensure both get who they want.

The rumor percolating in Canada that Toronto will offer defenseman Tomas Kaberle to the Blue Jackets for the No. 4 pick appears to be just that — a rumor. But don’t be surprised, we’re told, if Toronto GM Brian Burke makes that offer in the days or hours leading up to the NHL entry draft, set for June 25-26 in Los Angeles.

Columbus holds the fourth pick in the NHL draft and there is all kinds of speculation around the Stanley Cup final that the Blue Jackets are under pressure to make the playoffs and may not have the time or inclination to wait for yet another player to develop. Don’t be surprised if Brian Burke makes an attempt to deal Tomas Kaberle and more to Columbus to try and get an early pick … I guess size matters: The Maple Leafs don’t lead the NHL in any category other than size of front office …

Upon suggesting this, I’m half convinced that someone is going to start up a Don’t Trade Marty blog on blogspot by the end of the week. This is by no means what I’m suggesting (yet), just something to think about as a possibility. Now in the future, trading away Martin St. Louis may become a reality for Lightning fans and it will cause some uproar among the faithful (yes all 10 of you).

Let’s cut all the garbage: Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said last week that he wanted to add a first line winger with some muscle and scoring touch. This isn’t “moving heaven and earth” to get John Tavares . The draft was too big a puzzle to pull that off.

But throwing money at a guy? Burke can do that better than anybody and remember: for better or worse he usually does what he says he’ll do.

In fact, when informed yesterday that sand might have been poured in the hallway that leads from the Flyers’ locker room to the ice at the Bell Centre in Montreal before Game 4, Spacek said he was curious why so many Flyers needed to leave the ice.